We have less than four weeks until Election Day. Supporters of Proposition 8 have released their first two ads and both are filled with serious lies, distortions and intentional misdirections. The last one even exploits a child to deliver a complete lie! And it’s working for some voters.

Our most recent polls show we are trailing by a couple of points. Why? Because Proposition 8 supporters have raised enormous amounts of money. According to a Web site for the Mormons against 8, an unprecedented 44 percent is coming from Mormons in and out of state, which has allowed them to intensify their targeted campaign of distortions, diversions and outright dishonesty.

Proposition 8 is about singling out one group of Californians and eliminating their right to marry. It’s that simple and straightforward. And fair-minded Californians don’t like it. We know that. You know that. And at some level, marriage equality opponents must know that because they have had to turn to a campaign that is designed to lie to the voters in order to have a chance at winning.

In their first ad, a Pepperdine University law professor claims that allowing same-sex marriage to remain legal would lead to churches losing their tax exemption, lawsuits over personal beliefs and same-sex marriage being “taught in public schools.” Of course these are blatant lies, but the ad is so misleading that Pepperdine has actually demanded that the campaign remove any reference to the university after receiving complaints!

They know they can’t win an election based on facts, so they just keep changing the subject, repeatedly throwing new distortions out to see what sticks. And they’ve raised enough money to use this shotgun strategy effectively.

Proposition 8 is not about churches. It’s not about tax exempt status or judges. It’s certainly not about anyone’s school curriculum. Proposition 8 is about eliminating the fundamental right to marry for one group of Californians. But Proposition 8 supporters know that kind of blatant discrimination won’t fly with California voters, so they’ve turned to their old standbys – fear, lies and money. And that approach has raised millions of dollars that are now being used to flood the airwaves with attack advertising.

Money will be a major factor in whether we win or we lose because this election will be decided on the airwaves. Whoever has more to spend is likely to win. It is that simple.

In the next four weeks, you can expect the attack ads to get even uglier. The only way we can win is to match them dollar-for-dollar in ad buys.

What can you do today to help fight the lies and distortions?

Give. Ask everyone you know to give as much as they can. We must match their media buy and tell Californians the truth. All those who have thought they’d wait until it was clear the campaign needed it – now is the time and the campaign needs it desperately. You can donate online. For a link to the “No on 8” Web site, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1085.

Volunteer. Help us phone voters and tell them the truth. For contact information for volunteer opportunities, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1085.

Talk. Talk to your friends, your families, your neighbors, your co-workers and tell them the truth about Proposition 8.

Vote by Mail. Vote early and make sure everyone you know votes early. One of the ways we can best encourage people to vote is by making it easier. That means encouraging them to get a mail ballot and vote by mail. Visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1085 for a link to the Registrar of Voters Web site.

We can’t let these attacks go unanswered. We must have the funds and courage to tell Californians the truth.